Implications for mvBase SystemID's and Authorization Codes of re-installing the Windows 95/98 or Windows NT Operating Systems

Should the need arise to completely re-install Windows 95/98 or Windows NT then it is extremely important to be aware of three facts:

1. The mvBase Release 1.2 AND 1.3 Permanent Authorization Codes are tied directly to the SystemID (System IDentity). This association is critical in maintaining licensing authorization.

2. If you reload and/or reinstall Windows the SystemID will change. This will cause the existing Permanent Authorization Code to be invalid.

3. The mvBase server will not start as an application or service if the Authorization Code is invalid (or if the SystemID does not belong to the system on which it was generated.

To avoid having to obtain a new Permanent Authorization Code, you must record the 20-character System ID and the existing 24-character mvBase Permanent Authorization Code before (prior to, ahead of, preceding, etc.) reloading or reinstalling Windows.

This can be done in two ways:

1. Copy them both from the Authorization edit box in the Server tab of the mvBase Administration Utility (recommended)

2. Obtain them from the Windows Registry (not recommended, due to the great care which must be taken when working in the Registry ).

• Launch the Registry Editor by clicking on Start | Run, (type regedit or regedt32) and press Enter.

  This brings up the Registry Editor that looks somewhat like Windows Explorer.

• Now click on the following + signs:

  For mvBase 1.2

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | GeneralAutomation | mvBase | Server

  For mvBase 1.3

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | General Automation | mvBase | 1.3 | Server

  (Note the space in between the words 'General' and 'Automation' on 1.3)

  and then click on the boot directory.

  Nine values now display. Two of them are labeled AuthCode and SystemID.

• Copy both of these String values somewhere for later use.

• Now reload/or re-install Windows and mvBase.

Once you have reloaded and/or reinstalled Windows and mvBase, it is mandatory to use the Windows Registry Editor to reenter the previously existing (valid) SystemID data and to create the AuthCode value.

A SystemID will already exist when you use the Windows Registry Editor only if you have attempted to start the mvBase server (or invoked the Server|Authorization dialog in mvADMIN) after re-installing mvBase.

To create a new value:

1. Open the boot directory in the Windows Registry as in option 2 of the previous section.

2. Click on Edit | New | StringValue.

3. Type AuthCode or SystemID as the name in place of the New Value #1and then double click on the small ab icon to the left of the name.

4. Enter the 24-character AuthCode value or 20-character SystemID value from before as appropriate.

To modify an existing value:

1. Open the boot directory in the Windows Registry as in option 2 of the previous section.

2. Select the name of the value you wish to alter (SystemID) by clicking on it in the right-hand pane and then click on Edit | Modify.

   or

   Doubleclick on the name of the value you wish to alter (SystemID).
   
   

3. In the Edit String dialog box, the old value data will be initially selected. Just enter the new 20-character SystemID value from before, then click OK.

After completing this step the mvBase server will start and will be authorized to use the correct number of licenses as before.